Criminal Defense Lawyer Near Me

Like all states in the U.S., Ohio has its own criminal code that lists prohibited conduct and the potential penalties for those who are convicted of those offenses. While many aspects of Ohio’s criminal code are similar to those in other states, Ohio law is different in a number of key ways. For instance, Ohio is known for having a particularly complex sentencing structure and for tending to penalize drug offenses more harshly than other states, so it is important for defendants who have been charged with criminal offenses in Ohio to search “criminal defense lawyer near me” and contact a lawyer who is familiar with the complexities of state law and has the experience and resources to help them build a strong defense. 

Types of Criminal Offenses

Criminal offenses in Ohio fall under a few different categories, including:

• Crimes of violence, such as assault, battery, homicide, and manslaughter;
• Sex crimes, such as sexual assault, public exposure, solicitation, and rape;
• Weapons offenses, including ownership of a firearm by a convicted felon and using or having a weapon in one’s possession during the commission of a crime;
• White-collar crimes, such as insurance fraud, embezzlement, forgery, and securities fraud;
• Theft based offenses, including petty theft, grand theft, and burglary;
• Crimes against the family, including domestic violence, child abuse, and child endangerment;
• Crimes against property, including vandalism and trespassing;
• Juvenile offenses, such as petty theft, loitering, and underage drinking; 
• Drug crimes, which involve the possession, manufacturing, or trafficking of a controlled substance; and
• Operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol (OVI). 

Many of these offenses are punishable by jail time and hefty fines, but only if prosecutors are able to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, which requires the fulfillment of a number of different elements. 

Elements of a Criminal Offense

In order to convict someone of a criminal offense in Ohio, prosecutors must be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused had the necessary mental state to commit the crime, which means that he or she acted:

• Recklessly;
• With criminal negligence;
• Intentionally; or
• With purpose. 

Even when this element is satisfied, a defendant can only be convicted if that mental state was also coupled with an act that furthered the crime in some way. Finally, in some cases, specified factors, such as location, setting, or victim characteristics, must also be present when a crime is committed in order for a defendant to be convicted. For instance, for a person to be found guilty of burglary, the theft must have occurred in an occupied structure. These elements will vary depending on the specific crime in question, making it especially important for defendants to retain an experienced attorney who is familiar with a variety of criminal offenses. 

Call Today for a Free Consultation

To speak with a dedicated criminal defense lawyer, search “criminal defense lawyer near me” and please contact the Comunale Law Office today, and a member of our legal team will help you schedule a free case evaluation at your earliest convenience.